If you're thinking about laser surgery to correct your vision, there's another option you should strongly consider before making a decision. Intacs corneal implants provide crisp, clear, maintenance-free vision, and are ideal for individuals with moderate nearsightedness who are particular about the quality of their vision. What's more, Intacs corneal implants are a flexible alternative in that they can be replaced or removed if your vision correction needs change.

Intacs corneal implants provide clear maintenance-free vision for individuals who are mildly nearsighted, particular about the quality of their vision and concerned about preserving their options for the future. Intacs corneal implants preserve the cornea's natural shape and can be replaced or removed as your future vision correction needs change.

Intacs corneal implants are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Intacs corneal implants are FAA-approved for pilots.  Supported by more than 11 years of clinical studies,  the approved range of up to three diopters covers nearly 70% of those who are nearsighted in the US.

They are almost invisible in the eye and cannot be felt. Imagine your cornea as a tent with a curved top. If you push out the sides of the tent, the top flattens. Similarly, when Intacs corneal implants are placed in the sides of the cornea, they flatten it just enough to correct myopia. Intacs corneal implants gently reshape the cornea for better vision.

How Are Intacs Corneal Implants Used?

Intacs corneal implants are micro-thin. An ophthalmologist inserts them under the outer edge of your cornea (the surface of your eye) during a brief outpatient procedure.

Intacs corneal implants gently reshape the curvature of your cornea from within, enhancing the natural shape of your eye to correct mild nearsightedness. Unlike laser surgery, no corneal tissue is removed from the central optical zone of your cornea — the portion critical to your sight.

You cannot feel Intacs corneal implants once they have been inserted. Intacs corneal implants are no more visible than contact lenses. No maintenance is required. Over 97% of patients who get Intacs corneal implants achieve the goal of driver's license vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses, and greater than 50% are pleased to discover that their vision is better than 20/20.

How Do Intacs Corneal Implants Work?

If you're nearsighted, the light rays passing through your cornea are not focusing properly on your retina. Intacs corneal implants correct nearsightedness by gently adjusting the shape of your cornea to allow light rays to focus precisely on the retina — producing clear, sharp vision.

What Makes Intacs Corneal Implants More
Flexible Than Laser Surgery?

Lasers reshape your cornea by permanently removing tissue from the central optic zone. This tissue cannot be added back. When laser patients need an adjustment to their vision, additional tissue must be removed. If your prescription changes, more procedures and more tissue removal may be needed.

But no tissue is removed during an Intacs corneal implant procedure. Intacs corneal implants change the curvature of your eye by adding ultra-thin ring segments, rather than removing tissue.

Intacs can be replaced with a different size if an adjustment is needed in the future. Intacs can also be removed if necessary giving you the security you need with a permanent refractive procedure. In all cases where Intacs were removed, patients were able to be corrected to 20/20 vision or better during the U.S. clinical studies.* Intacs preserve future options like no other vision correction procedure.

Are Intacs Inserts Right For Me?

Only a qualified physician can assess whether Intacs are right for you.** Intacs are FDA-approved for people whose correction is between -1.00 and -3.00 diopters, with no more than 1.00 diopter of astigmatism.

Your doctor will need to examine your eyes to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for Intacs corneal implants. Also, it is required that you have healthy eyes that are free from disease or injury. You need to be at least 21 years of age and have had stable vision for at least one year.